LeBron James: 5 Reasons Why Chicago Bulls Must Sign the King

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With LeBron James electing to opt out the last year of his contract with the Miami Heat, he is set to enter NBA free agency on July 1. The Chicago Bulls, presently in the process of courting Carmelo Anthony, must turn their attention to James. Here are 5 reasons why the Bulls must sign him.

5. The Bulls Need Shooting

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5. The Bulls Need Shooting

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Perimeter shooting was one of Chicago's blatant weaknesses last season, with D.J. Augustin and Mike Dunleavy Jr. being the team's only reliable threats from deep. LeBron, whose outside game was once a problem for him, has become one of the NBA's better shooters. His driving capability would also open up space for other players on the Bulls roster and consequently turn what were contested shots last year into open shots in 2014-15.

4. LeBron and Derrick Rose Would Be An Unstoppable Duo

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4. LeBron and Derrick Rose Would Be An Unstoppable Duo

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James and Derrick Rose are quite possibly the two most athletic players in the NBA, and they would be essentially impossible to stop just as the LeBron and Dwyane Wade duo was before Wade slowed down. A simple pick-and-roll with James and Rose would be a nightmare for the opposition to handle.

3. Tom Thibodeau Would Find Innovative Ways to Use James

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3. Tom Thibodeau Would Find Innovative Ways to Use James

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LeBron, with the skills to play all five positions at both ends of the court, is unquestionably the most versatile player in the league. Tom Thibodeau is a brilliant coach who to date has had to rely primarily on a talent-lacking roster to generate wins. Look at the job he's done with almost no offensive ability on the team to speak of; there's no telling what he could accomplish with LeBron.

2. LeBron Would Make Chicago's Defense Even Better

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2. LeBron Would Make Chicago's Defense Even Better

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The Bulls' defense is already one of the league's best. Adding James to the mix moves things towards "absurd" territory. A starting five of Rose, Jimmy Butler, LeBron, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah features two top-five perimeter defenders and two top-five interior defenders. The potential there is truly scary.

1. James Is Better Than Carmelo Anthony

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1. James Is Better Than Carmelo Anthony

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LeBron is a much more complete player than Anthony, who the Bulls are currently going after. Unlike Carmelo, James fits into the Bulls' defensive schemes like a glove. He's also more of a threat to penetrate at the offensive end, being far less reliant on jump shooting than Anthony is. James would make the Bulls instant championship favorites; this is a player who Chicago absolutely must sign if he doesn't return to Miami.

Sean Sarcu is a Chicago Blackhawks writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter or add him to your network on Google.